It was Labour Day in 2007 that I
witnessed my community come alive. This was the season of dreams when
every long suffering fan’s biggest wish would finally come true. It
was the the season of the Black Out, when Rider Day was proclaimed and
the year the Grey Cup finally made its way home for only the 3rd time.
The impact that these things had was much more than what happened on
the football field.
My neighbours across the street, who we have
since coined “The Rider Fans” began wearing their Rider shirts for game
day. It’s a tradition they still have and now include their two
little children. They are much bigger supporters of Tim Horton’s than
myself and coming home with a round of Double Double’s work for them
but just doesn’t have the same impact for us. Rider fans aren’t just a
little ‘stitious…..we’re SUPERstitious.
At the grocery store
people began to wear their green and white proudly. We’d talk to each
other…..”Nice jersey” “Thanks” “Where’d you get it?” It was just
the beginning of a new kind of gang where Next Year Country was becoming
This Year Country. It’s not uncommon to see people in Rider garb
along with decorated businesses, car flags and license plates. We
began to wear our hearts on our sleeves and indeed prove that pride
does live here.
My neighbourhood is usually quiet. People stick
to themselves except for the slight neighbourly hello from across the
street. On this Labour Day we were all tucked into our houses in wild
anticipation of what the Classic would bring. I don’t remember much of
the game, to be honest. I remember we did have a knack for pulling out
a win in the last minutes…..seconds of any given game and that’s
exactly what happened when then quarterback Kerry Joseph ran the ball in
for the winning touchdown.
Afterwards we headed out into the
yard to give our lilac bush a hair cut. Everyone else was spilling out
into their yards and street. Lawn mowers started, cars drove away and
down the street a little boy tossed a football to an adult. “Do you
like football?” he asked. Yes, indeed we liked football. It connected
us all if only for a time or moment.
I'm not the only Roughrider fan in the province who has a sinking heart today. The main difference between myself and many other fans is I'm having my Sunday morning coffee and relaxing on a cloudy day, while many others are busy calling for the firing or release of players and coaches and even booing.....yes, booing the whole team.
It's sad.
What has happened to Ridernation?
Where did people get the idea that they had the right to say these things and behave in this manner? It makes me shake my head and grimace.
I admit, even I moaned when Chris Getzlaf dropped his first catch of the game. I feel so bad for the guy. I know he really can catch the ball even though I feel he's got the Curse of the Cereal [see previous blog]. Would I boo the guy? No. And yes, I also admit I had the idea maybe he should be benched until he works his issues out. But I'm not the coach and it's a really good thing I'm not. I'm sure I'd have them running in circles and they'd be more mixed up than they were in the first three quarters of yesterday's game.
It's really easy to sit on the couch at home and watch games. I can see running lanes open up and see receivers out in the open. Sure, it's pretty easy at that point to say "Run! Run the ball!" but what we don't see is what is going on down field. Maybe some receivers are covered, maybe a route is blown, or an assignment is missed. We don't really know what the story is.
So many people are on Darian Durant's case. I feel bad for him too. How many other quarterbacks have the Ridernation ran out of town? How much of what Darian does is poor play calling or bad decisions? He can be brilliant as he scrambles away and a dominator when he uses his legs. A dropped ball is not his fault. How much criticism can Darian endure before he's decided he's had enough? I hope to not find out. I've also heard the phrase "real fans go to games." What? I'm a real fan. I'm passionate about the game too. Just because I'm not at Mosaic Stadium, does that mean I'm not a fan? I'd rather not drive 4 hours to Regina to sit in the heat or rain behind someone who is either drunk or oogling the cheerleaders. No thanks. I have a better seat at home in my temperature controlled castle. I've been to games and sure, it is fun and exciting and a thing to experience, but are you any less of a fan for not attending a game? No. It seems to me that the biggest adjustment that has to be made is by the fans. It's not enough to spout off about the players and coaches you have to ridicule other fans too. It's shameful. And a province of fans that were show cased and given an award by the CFL in 2010 should try to be a better model for other football teams instead of what not to emulate. Before pointing the finger at players, coaches and fans, try looking inwards first.
